Some Photos and Videos from Recent Media Day on board the United States Navy USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

During the recently completed joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19), local media (not including us!) were invited to inspect operations at close quarters on board the United States Navy Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).  However, we have been very fortunate to receive and be able to share some great photos and short video clips from on board last week.

The ninth ship of its class, the USS Ronald Reagan is named in honour of former President Ronald Reagan, President of the United States from 1981 to 1989.

Upon its christening in 2001, it was the first ship to be named after a then-still-living former president.

Since late 2015, Ronald Reagan has been the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5), the only forward-based carrier strike group home-ported at Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the United States Seventh Fleet.  Ronald Reagan also embarks Strike Warfare Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW 5) and its nine squadrons.  As of June 2015, CSG 5 includes three Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Destroyer Squadron Fifteen (CDS 15), which serves as the Sea Combat Commander and is responsible for eight assigned Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

Ronald Reagan and the ten surface combatant ships operate out of Yokosuka, Japan, while CVW 5 operates out of Atsugi, Japan, when not embarked on Ronald Reagan. Together, these units form the U.S. Navy's only continuously forward deployed (and largest) carrier strike group.

Carrier Air Wing Five is a critical combat strike element of Battle Force Seventh Fleet, the only forward-deployed carrier strike group in the U.S. Navy.  CVW-5 consists of VFA-102 'Diamondbacks' flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet, VFA-27 'Royal Maces' flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet, VFA-115 'Eagles' flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet, VFA-195 'Dambusters' flying the F/A-18E Super Hornets,  VAQ-141 'Shadowhawks' flying the EA-18G Growler, VAW-125 'Torch Bearers' / 'Tigertails' flying the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, VRC-30 Detachment 5 'Providers' flying the C-2 Greyhound, HSC-12 'Golden Falcons' flying the MH-60S Seahawk and HSM-77 'Saberhawks' flying the MH-60R Seahawk.

Sincere thanks to our contributor for allowing us to share their awesome photos and videos!

Additional images courtesy of Defence Media...